Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 28(11), С. 3515 - 3536

Опубликована: Март 16, 2022

Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across globe, with many approaching end of their operational life requiring decommissioning. Although can possess high ecological diversity productivity, information on how they interact broader processes remains unclear. Here, we review current state knowledge role O&G infrastructure maintaining, altering or enhancing connectivity natural marine habitats. There is a paucity studies subject only 33 papers specifically targeting structures, although other provide important information. Evidence for facilitating vertical horizontal seascape exists larvae mobile adult invertebrates, fish megafauna; including threatened commercially species. The degree to which these represent beneficial detrimental net impact unclear, complex ultimately needs more research determine extent networks conserved, enhanced disrupted. We discuss potential impacts different decommissioning approaches identify, through expert elicitation, critical gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making cycle infrastructure, relevance industries (e.g. renewables). most highly ranked gap was need understand modify influence movement patterns species dispersal stages sessile Understanding options affect survival also ranked, as understanding contribute extending distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, stepping stones. These questions could be addressed dedicated animal relation using telemetry, molecular techniques models. Our priority roadmap advancing needed support evidence-based infrastructure.

Язык: Английский

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Offshore decommissioning horizon scan: Research priorities to support decision-making activities for oil and gas infrastructure

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 878, С. 163015 - 163015

Опубликована: Март 24, 2023

Thousands of oil and gas structures have been installed in the world's oceans over past 70 years to meet population's reliance on hydrocarbons. Over last decade, there has increased concern how handle decommissioning this infrastructure when it reaches end its operational life. Complete or partial removal may not present best option considering potential impacts environment, society, technical feasibility, economy, future asset liability. Re-purposing offshore also be a valid legal under international maritime law where robust evidence exists support option. Given complex nature infrastructure, global horizon scan was undertaken, eliciting input from an interdisciplinary cohort 35 experts develop top ten priority research needs further inform decisions advance our understanding their impacts. The highest priorities included: (1) assessment contaminants acceptable environmental limits reduce for ecological harm; (2) defining risk acceptability thresholds policy/governance; (3) characterising liability issues ongoing costs responsibility; (4) quantification ecosystem services. remaining (5) quantifying connectivity; (6) assessing marine life productivity; (7) determining feasibility re-use; (8) identification stakeholder views values; (9) greenhouse emissions; (10) developing transdisciplinary decision-making process. Addressing these will help policy development governance frameworks provide industry stakeholders with clearer path forward decommissioning. principles framework developed paper are equally applicable informing responsible renewable energy particular wind turbines, field that is accelerating rapidly.

Язык: Английский

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Radiological risk assessment to marine biota from exposure to NORM from a decommissioned offshore oil and gas pipeline

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 251-252, С. 106979 - 106979

Опубликована: Авг. 11, 2022

Scale residues can accumulate on the interior surfaces of subsea petroleum pipes and may incorporate naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). The persistent nature 'NORM scale' result in a radiological dose to organisms living or near intact pipelines. Following scenario in-situ decommissioning pipeline, marine occupying exteriors interiors structures have close contact with scale other NORM-associated contaminated substances suffer subsequent effects. This case study used modelling software, including ERICA Tool (v2.0), MicroShield® Pro mathematical equations, estimate likely doses risks effects from NORM-contaminated biota decommissioned offshore oil gas pipeline. Using activity concentrations NORM (226Ra, 210Po, 210Pb, 228Ra, 228Th) pipeline Australia, environmental realistic exposure scenarios exposures both an pipe (external only; accounting for radiation shielding by cylindrical carbon steel pipe) corrosive breakthrough (resulting internal external exposure) were simulated model organisms. Predicted rates only (ranging 26 μGy/h 33 μGy/h) corroded 300 16,000 exceeded screening levels receptors. highlighted importance using scale-specific solubility data (i.e., Kd) values individual radionuclides assessments. provides approach conducting organism assessments pipelines highlights scientific gaps required undertake risk necessary inform infrastructure planning.

Язык: Английский

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Oil and gas platforms degrade benthic invertebrate diversity and food web structure

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 929, С. 172536 - 172536

Опубликована: Апрель 19, 2024

Oil and gas exploitation introduces toxic contaminants such as hydrocarbons heavy metals to the surrounding sediment, resulting in deleterious impacts on marine benthic communities. This study combines monitoring data over a 30-year period North Sea with dietary information >1400 taxa quantify effects of active oil platforms food webs using multiple before-after control-impact experiment. Contamination from caused declines web complexity, community abundance, biodiversity. Fewer trophic interactions increased connectance indicated that became dominated by generalists adapting alternative resources, leading simpler but more connected contaminated environments. Decreased mean body mass, shorter chain lengths, dominance small detritivores Capitella capitata near structures suggested disproportionate loss larger organisms higher levels. These patterns were associated concentrations exceed OSPAR's guideline thresholds sediment toxicity. provides new evidence better manage environmental consequences at sea.

Язык: Английский

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A Comprehensive Analysis of Repurposing Abandoned Oil Wells for Different Energy Uses: Exploration, Applications, and Repurposing Challenges

Cleaner Engineering and Technology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 22, С. 100797 - 100797

Опубликована: Авг. 23, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Dynamic modeling of global fossil fuel infrastructure and materials needs: Overcoming a lack of available data

Applied Energy, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 326, С. 119871 - 119871

Опубликована: Сен. 18, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Threats to Australia's oceans and coasts: A systematic review

Ocean & Coastal Management, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 231, С. 106331 - 106331

Опубликована: Окт. 29, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Threshold values for the protection of marine ecosystems from NORM in subsea oil and gas infrastructure

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 258, С. 107093 - 107093

Опубликована: Янв. 6, 2023

This modelling study uses the ERICA Tool and Bateman's equation to derive sediment threshold values for radiation protection of marine environment relevant NORM-contaminated products (radium-contaminated scales, 210Pb films 210Po films) found in subsea oil gas infrastructure. Threshold are calculated as activity concentration products' head chain radionuclide (i.e., 226Ra + 228Ra, 210Pb, or 210Po) that will increase dose rates sediments by 10 μGy/h most exposed organism at a given release time. The minimum value (corresponding peak from ingrowth progeny) were radium-contaminated 0.009 Bq/g 226Ra, 0.029 228Ra (in absence 226Ra) 0.14 presence 226Ra), followed 0.015 films, 1.6 films. These may be used default values. Added concentrations below these implies low radiological risk organisms while exceedances imply further investigation is necessary. Using contaminated product specific parameterisations, such Kd derived Ra BaSO4 matrix seawater, could greatly affect Strong consideration should deriving data part assessments products.

Язык: Английский

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Harnessing model-based group decision support systems for more effective stakeholder engagement: Reflections from the field

Ocean & Coastal Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 267, С. 107658 - 107658

Опубликована: Март 30, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Separating facts from fiction: can offshore decommissioning become a USD6.3 billion industry this decade?

Australian Energy Producers journal., Год журнала: 2025, Номер 65(2)

Опубликована: Май 22, 2025

The anticipated surge in offshore decommissioning spending and activity is being driven by the Australian Government’s Deparment of Industry, Science Resources (DISR) Offshore Decommissioning Roadmap, which was released at end 2024. roadmap works conjunction with Compliance Strategy 2024–2029, National Petroleum Safety Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) February NOPSEMA’s strategy DISR’s sets post-production targets for removal floating infrastructure 12 months, well plug abandonment 3 years, a maximum 5 years all remaining structures. Rystad Energy estimates that new will guide industry to approximately USD4 billion expenditure from 2025–2029. However, current see commitments are only fraction USD1.7 billion. This lack commitment likely due range supply chain bottlenecks hampering commitments, including cost inflation, limited availability rigs vessels, delays dismantling infrastructure, approval environmental regulator, NOPSEMA. As outlined this paper, managing these risks require strategies, helping realise its potential while also meeting DISRS’s targets.

Язык: Английский

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